The Australian National University (ANU) is currently examining whether to revoke the honorary law degree it conferred upon Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 1999, amid serious accusations of crimes against humanity. These allegations include overseeing massacres and enforced disappearances during her tenure.
According to The Canberra Times, ANU’s honorary committee is actively assessing the situation but has not yet reached a decision, as it is awaiting the completion of a broader review of its procedures.
This development follows recent legal actions in Bangladesh, where the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) issued an arrest warrant against Hasina over allegations of abuse of political power. Additionally, in October 2024, Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) issued a warrant for her arrest on charges related to genocide and crimes against humanity.
A United Nations investigation reported that at least 1,400 people were killed during a violent crackdown on protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024. Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Asia Director, Meenakshi Ganguly, previously urged influential governments to press Sheikh Hasina to halt her forces’ brutal suppression of students and other protesters.
Revoking Hasina’s honorary degree would be an unprecedented move for ANU. An official spokesperson told AAP that “revocation of such a degree has not occurred in the university’s recent history and no procedural precedent exists,” adding that the university is working on establishing a more formal process for potential revocations before making any final decision.
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